By: Kevin Ramsell
(West Salem, WI – October 9, 2011) Every year, Johnny Sauter looks at his calendar and makes his plans for one event, the Oktoberfest Race Weekend at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway. Today, he led every lap to finally win the Oktoberfest 100 main event.

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver held off his nephew Travis Sauter to win the main event on the final day of the four-day race weekend. The event was slowed by two cautions with the Sauters putting on a show for the large crowd in attendance. Chris Weinkauf was third with Skylar Holzhausen in fourth. Erik Darnell rounded out the top five.

Andrew Morrissey finished 20th and secured the 2011 ASA Midwest Tour championship. A full report is available at www.asamidwesttour.com

Zack Riddle showed his muscle in the first segment as he went from seventh to first in ten laps to win the first of three 21-lap segments. Bobby Wilberg took the lead at the drop of the green flag and pulled away from polesitter Ryan Carlson. Riddle got by Carlson for second on lap eight and two laps later, passed Wilberg on the inside going into turn one to take over the lead and the win. Cory Kemkes was second with Kyle Shear in third. Wilberg was fourth and James Swan rounded out the top-five.

The field was inverted for the start of the second segment. The action got wild on lap two when Skylar Holzhausen backed his late model into the outside wall in turns three and four. Holzhausen was able to walk away. Nick Clements started on the outside of the front row and led the first 16 laps. The second caution flew on lap 16 when Cory Kemkes and Travis Stanley went around in turn four. On the restart, Jason Schuler would get on the inside of Clements and take over the top spot. J. Herbst followed Schuler to take over second. Herbst would get to Schuler’s bumper but would fail to get around as Schuler won the second segment. Kyle Shear came from 18th to finish third while Clements was fourth. Riddle, who started shotgun on the field, finished fifth.

The top 13 were inverted for the final segment. Fans kept a close eye on Shear and Riddle as they were tied at the top with six points. Riddle started ninth with Shear right behind him in eleventh. Brent Kirchner jumped to the lead while Riddle and Shear started their move to the front. It was on lap seven when Shear made the winning move as he got by Riddle to take over the fifth spot. Up front, Travis Stanley got by Brent Kirchner to take the lead with six laps to go and go on to win the third segment. Shear finished third with Riddle in fourth making Shear the overall winner.
Shear becomes the second ever winner of the JMck 63 with Riddle in second and John DeAngelis in third.

Dan Fredrickson was a last minute replacement to drive the Lefthander Chassis Chevrolet Truck in the ASA Midwest Truck Tour 30-lap feature. The last minute move paid off as he went on to hold off John Wood and Brad Becker to win the event.

The Vintage Cars put on a spirited battle as Gary Mitidero held off Pat Echlin and Bob Heine to win the event. Mitidero took over the lead with three laps to go in the 15-lap event for the win.
Todd Kamish held off a late charge from Phil Malouf to win the Open 4-Cylinders feature event. Kamish took over the lead from Dale Robinson with five laps to go for the win. George Sparkman was third.
The Hornet vs. Bandit 15-lap feature was the final event for the 2011 edition of Oktoberfest. Tim Murphy Jr. held off Steve Rozek for the win. Murphy will be the official Hornet winner while Rozek will be the Bandit winner.

Mark your calendars for the 43th Annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend that takes place the 4-5-6-7 of October, 2012. The La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway ends its 2011 season with the Unique Edge Customizing 300 Bracket Nationals Street Drags on Saturday, Oct. 16. Also the La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway Championship Banquet will be held Friday, Jan. 20 at the Stoney Creek Inn, Onalaska banquet hall. Be sure to become a fan of Oktoberfest racing on Facebook and check online for all of your racing news. For more information please call the Speedway office at (608) 786-1525 or visit www.lacrossespeedway.com.

La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway is a proud NASCAR Hometrack, part of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series – www.hometracks.nascar.com.

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